Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 23 Feb 2012 [PDF]
• Marines sweep uncharted areas of Khan-Neshin during Operation Highland Thunder USMC News 23 Feb 2012 -- A large plot of austere terrain in the southern portion of Khan-Neshin district is home to local farmers who make a living growing crops.
• Man in Afghan Army Uniform Shoots ISAF Members AFPS 23 Feb 2012 -- A man wearing an Afghan army uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in eastern Afghanistan.
• 'Uniformed' Fighter Kills Foreign Troops As Afghan Koran-Burning Unrest Mounts RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- Two NATO soldiers and at least three Afghan protesters have been killed as violence continues for a third day.
• Uniformed Man Kills 2 Coalition Soldiers in Afghanistan VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- NATO officials say an individual wearing an Afghan army uniform shot and killed two coalition soldiers in eastern Afghanistan.
• Burning of Qurans Puts Match to Fuming Resentments VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Deadly protests over the burning of Muslim holy books at Bagram airbase, the main American military installation near Kabul, continued across Afghanistan.
• Taliban Calls For Violence Over Koran Burnings As Protests Continue RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- The Taliban has called on Afghans to launch attacks on military bases and convoys of foreign troops in response to the burning of Korans at a NATO military base earlier this week.
• Seven killed in Afghan Clashes against Quran Burning RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2012 -- Seven Afghans have been killed in the clashes between Afghan security forces and protesters, rallying against Quran’s burning by the U.S. soldiers.
• Carter Meets with Polish Troops, Discusses Partnership AFPS 23 Feb 2012 -- Partnership has been essential to success in Iraq and Afghanistan, and this emphasis continued as Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter met with Polish troops.
• Kyrgyz Base Will Not be Used Against Iran - U.S. Ambassador RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. ambassador in Russia Michael McFaul denied on Thursday that the U.S. base in Kyrgyzstan would be used in case of a military conflict with Iran.
• Dambusters prepare for Afghanistan deployment UK MOD 23 Feb 2012 -- Aircrew and engineers from the RAF's 617 (Dambusters) Squadron have been tested to the limit in a simulated 'war week' in order to prepare them for their next front line deployment to Afghanistan.
• 503rd Military Police Battalion trains for deployment Army News 23 Feb 2012 -- With the exercise complete and preparation well underway, the 503rd MP Bn. is headed to Afghanistan to replace the Fort Stewart, Ga., based 385th MP Bn.
• Show me the money: Marines provide payment to local Afghan Policemen USMC News 23 Feb 2012 -- The Afghan Local Police are a part-time police force made up of civilians from local villages much like reserve law enforcement officials in the United States.
• No Refuge From Misery For Afghanistan's Displaced RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- To the casual observer the thousands of caves that dot the sandstone cliffs of the ancient Afghan city of Bamiyan hearken to another era, when monks visiting the region's famous Buddha statues took residence there.
• Report Finds Afghan War Displaced a Half Million Civilians VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- An international human rights group says fighting in Afghanistan has displaced half a million people who lack access to adequate housing, food and schools.
• Afghan Female Senator Allegedly Linked To Kidnapping RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- The office of Afghanistan's Attorney General alleges that female Senator Fawzia Sadaat has links with a criminal group involved in kidnapping.
• Clinton Had 'Constructive' Talks WIth Pakistani Counterpart RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she and her Pakistani counterpart had a "constructive discussion of our common concerns."
• Clinton To Meet Pakistani Foreign Minister RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to hold talks in London with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
• Pakistan blames Taliban for deadly car bomb attack IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- Police in the northwest Pakistan blamed Taliban militants for the deadly car bomb attack which killed at least 12 people and injured over 32.
• Bomb Rips Through Bus Station in Pakistan VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Officials say a car bomb has ripped through a bus terminal in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least 12 people.
• At Least 15 Killed By Pakistan Bus Station Bomb RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- At least 15 people have been killed in a bomb explosion near a bus station in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar.
• Pak forces kill 15 Taliban militants IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- Pakistani security forces have killed 15 suspected Taliban militants in a country's tribal area.
• Notice - Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Libya The White House 23 Feb 2012
• Letter - Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Libya The White House 23 Feb 2012

Defense Policy / Programs

• CNO to Naples Sailors: Europe and Africa Remain Vital NNS 23 Feb 2012 -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert reaffirmed the Navy's commitment in the European and African regions.
• Industry leaders briefed on ISR future AFNS 23 Feb 2012 -- Lt. Gen. Larry James, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for ISR, briefed industry leaders about the service's ISR future.
• Air Force fiscal 2013 budget invests in critical space capabilities AFNS 23 Feb 2012 -- Investment in space programs was a priority in this year's Air Force budget.
• KCNA Commentary On Planned Nuclear Summit in Seoul KCNA 23 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. and south Korea are scheduled to hold a "nuclear security summit" in Seoul in late March.
• Army leaders outline plans to upgrade tactical communications network Army News 23 Feb 2012 -- The Army is preparing to field up to eight brigade combat teams with an advanced, integrated tactical communications network.
• Minju Joson on Nature of S. Korea-U.S. Anti-Sub Drills KCNA 23 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. and south Koreans launched the largest-ever joint anti-sub drills in the West Sea of Korea.
• Panetta Hosts Meetings with Jordanian Military Leaders AFPS 23 Feb 2012 -- Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told a visiting Jordanian delegation he is firmly committed to the U.S. military partnership with that nation’s armed forces.
• USS Columbus Conducts Western Pacific Deployment NNS 23 Feb 2012 -- Friends and families of the USS Columbus crew gathered at the submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to say goodbye as the Los Angeles-class submarine departed for a Western Pacific deployment, Feb. 22.
• USS Simpson Departs Ghana NNS 23 Feb 2012 -- USS Simpson departed Ghana after a three-day Africa Partnership Station port visit, Feb. 21.
• Army charges Manning with leaking intelligence Army News 23 Feb 2012 -- Pfc. Bradley E. Manning was arraigned here today on 22 charges that include wrongfully releasing intelligence, theft of records and aiding the enemy.
• US WikiLeaks Informant Formally Charged VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. Army intelligence analyst accused of passing classified documents to WikiLeaks has been formally charged with 22 counts.
• WikiLeaks Suspect Manning Defers On Plea RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- Bradley Manning, accused of sharing classified government documents with WikiLeaks, has been charged, but his lawyers deferred entering a plea.
• SPAG trains for submarine rescue in Gibraltar UK MOD 23 Feb 2012 -- Members of the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group from all three Services have been putting their parachuting skills to the test in Gibraltar this week.
• New Royal Navy Sea Survival Training Centre opens in Portsmouth UK MOD 23 Feb 2012 -- The training centre was officially opened at Horsea Island yesterday, 22 February, to give current and future Navy personnel the best preparation if the worst thing were to ever happen at sea.
• 12 Indian Army personnel killed in two avalanches in Kashmir Valley IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- Twelve Indian Army personnel were killed while 7 others were feared dead as avalanches struck Army camps in Kashmir Valley.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing, February 23, 2012 US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2012

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for February 23, 2012
• Boeing Awarded Performance Based Logistics Contract for Sustainment of Korea F-15Ks Boeing 23 Feb 2012 -- The Boeing Company has received a Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract from the Republic of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to ensure the long-term, affordable sustainment of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) fleet of F-15K fighter jets.
• CACI Awarded $41 Million Task Order to Continue Development of Defense Agencies Initiative Solution CACI 23 Feb 2012 -- CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded a $41 million task order to continue as lead developer of the Defense Agencies Initiative (DAI) solution sponsored by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Flight Test And Production Progress Report Lockheed Martin 23 Feb 2012 -- Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program continues to build on its 2011 flight test success. For 2012, the baseline F-35 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) flight test plan calls for the accumulation of 1,001 test flights and 7,873 test points.
• Thales to adapt ASTAC reconnaissance pods for Mirage 2000D Thales 23 Feb 2012 -- The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales a contract to adapt ASTAC tactical reconnaissance pods for the Mirage 2000D. When the operation is complete in 2014, France's Mirage 2000D fleet will be able to perform the tactical reconnaissance missions currently assigned to the Mirage F1CR, which is due to be withdrawn from service at around the same time.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, 23 February 2012 United Nations 23 Feb 2012
• UN report on sexual violence during conflict singles out worst offenders UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- The annual United Nations report documenting conflict-related sexual violence around the world for the first time names s groups that are suspected of being among the worst offenders.
• Syria: UN and Arab League appoint joint envoy to deal with crisis UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- The United Nations and the League of Arab States announced this evening that they have appointed the former UN chief Kofi Annan as their Joint Special Envoy to deal with the crisis in Syria.
• Tunis Conference Aims to Pressure Syria's Assad VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Representatives of more than 70 countries and organizations are gathering for a conference Friday aimed at supporting the Syrian opposition.
• Diplomats: 'Friends of Syria' May Demand Entry of Aid Within Days VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Diplomats say a group of Western and Arab-led nations gathering in Tunis to discuss Syria's worsening unrest may issue a demand for Damascus to allow the delivery of foreign humanitarian aid to hard-hit areas within days.
• Syrian Tanks Attack Homs; UN Probes Crimes VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Syrian tanks pushed into a rebel-held district in the battered city of Homs.
• Britain To Push For Tougher Syria Measures In Tunis RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- Foreign Secretary William Hague says Britain will push for a tightening of the diplomatic and economic "stranglehold" on the Damascus government.
• Analysis: Inside the anti-uprising movement in Syria IRIN 23 Feb 2012 -- In Syria’s commercial capital, Aleppo, posters plastered across the city tell the story of a community which, until recently, has been largely voiceless in the violent events of the past year.
• Medvedev Talks about Syria with UAE leader RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2012 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan discussed the situation in Syria.
• U.S. Hopes Russia Puts Pressure on Assad – State Department RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2012 -- The United States hopes that Russia has been doing its best to persuade Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop violence against protesters.
• 55 Killed in Iraq Attacks VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- A wave of attacks on mostly Shi'ite Muslim targets across Iraq has killed at least 55 people and wounded more than 225 others.
• At Least 50 Killed In Wave Of Iraq Attacks RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- At least 50 people were reported killed and more than 200 were wounded in a wave of bombing and shooting attacks across Iraq.
• Coordinated bombings in Iraq kill 60 people, wound 200 more IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- Car-bombings and suicide attacks in Shia targets on Thursday killed at least 60 people and injured 200 more, Iraqi Interior Ministry said.
• At least 60 people killed in Iraqi blasts RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2012 -- At least 60 people were killed and over 200 were injured on Thursday in series of blasts that ripped through areas near to Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
• UN force holds talks with Israeli and Lebanese officials to reduce border tensions UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- The head of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon met with senior officials from the Lebanese and Israeli militaries.
• Secretary Clinton Press Availability on the London Conference US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2012
• Secretary Clinton Intervention at the London Conference on Somalia US Dept. of State 23 Feb 2012
• Somalia Conference Stirs Range of Sentiments VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Twenty years ago in northern Kenya, an encampment was set up to deal with the influx of Somalis escaping drought and civil war.
• Somalis can build better future with global help, Ban tells London meeting UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban urged the international community to heed the “cries for peace” of the Somali people.
• Britain Sees Somalia Conference as Opportunity for 'Most Failed State' VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Heads of state and representatives from more than 50 countries are meeting in London to discuss the security and future of Somalia.
• Some Somalis Say Critical Voices Absent in London VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- A conference in London on the future of Somalia has brought together an impressive range of leaders from around the world and from Somalia's own abundant roster of political administrations.
• Russia to Join London Conference on Somalia RIA Novosti 23 Feb 2012 -- London will host an international conference on Somalia, which is expected to gather heads of state, foreign ministers and other high-ranking officials from more than 40 countries.
• Security Council extends UN presence in Timor-Leste until end of 2012 UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- The Security Council extended until the end of 2012 the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste.
• ICC expands scope of Ivorian war crimes investigation back to 2002 UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- The International Criminal Court has announced that it will expand the scope of its investigation into possible war crimes in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Germany Will Back Serbia's EU Candidacy RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle says Germany firmly supports Serbia's bid to join the European Union and would like to see it given candidate status at next week's EU summit.
• Mladic Slams UN Court As Biased RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- Former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic has slammed the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal as a puppet of NATO, calling it "biased" against him and other Serbs.

News Reports

• Zionist regime's anti-Iran strike equals its destruction: Gen Vahidi IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi: Ot goes without saying that if the Zionist regime launches any military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, it would be tantamount to destruction of that regime.
• Iranian nuclear scientists stress continuation of scientific jihad IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- Iranian nuclear scientists signed a petition released which stresses their commitment to continue peaceful nuclear progresses.
• Ban to UNSC: Refrain from useless wordplay on Iran nukes IRNA 23 Feb 2012 -- UN Sec Gen Ban advised big 5 Security Council members to refrain from useless wordplay on Iran’s nuclear program and 5+1G to be after constructive talks in upcoming round with Tehran.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on the Case of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani The White House 23 Feb 2012
• Iranian Parliamentary Election Campaign Begins RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- A weeklong election campaign by more than 3,400 candidates running in Iran's March 2 parliamentary polls began on February 23.
• U.S And North Korea Hold Nuclear Talks RFE/RL 23 Feb 2012 -- Officials of the US and North Korea have met for their first talks on the North’s nuclear program since the death of Kim Jong-Il.
• Egypt’s Interior Ministry - Continuous Object of Anger, Dissent VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- For well over a year now, the center of Cairo has been a flashpoint for violence between protesters and security forces.
• Letter - Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of vessels The White House 23 Feb 2012
• Notice - Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Cuba and the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of vessels The White House 23 Feb 2012
• Senegal Ends Campaigning Ahead of Sunday’s Vote VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- A spokesman for Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has said his decision to represent the ruling party in Sunday’s vote is non-negotiable, despite opposition protests aimed at pressuring him to relinquish power.
• Senegal Braces for Tense Poll Amid Opposition Protests VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Senegal goes to the polls Sunday amid tension and continued calls from the opposition for incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade to withdraw his controversial bid for a third term.
• Statement by the Press Secretary on Presidential Elections in Senegal The White House 23 Feb 2012
• US Urges Peaceful Senegal Election VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- The United States is calling on authorities in Senegal to make sure Sunday's presidential election is "fair, transparent, and peaceful."
• Ban presses for credible and peaceful presidential poll in Senegal UN News Centre 23 Feb 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban stressed his hope that this weekend’s presidential election in Senegal is peacefully and credibly staged after a campaign marred by several deadly incidents.
• Former Philippine President Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Election Fraud VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has entered a “not guilty” plea to a charge of election fraud.
• Chavez Heading to Cuba for New Surgery VOA 23 Feb 2012 -- Venezuela's president says he will continue leading the country, even as he travels to Cuba to undergo new surgery to remove a potentially cancerous lesion.